ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammed Kazem Al-e Sadeq on Saturday slammed US President Donald Trump rejection of Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for Iraq’s prime minister as a ‘blatant interference’ in the country’s politics.

Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework last week nominated former premier and head of the State of Law Coalition Maliki to reassume the top post in government.

The announcement was vehemently rejected by the US, with Trump stressing that Washington will no longer help Baghdad if Maliki becomes the next prime minister, criticizing his “insane policies and ideologies.”

“Maliki is an experienced person tested in managing the country and confronting crises and challenges during two government cabinets,” Sadeq told The New Region.

“Trump's opposition to Maliki's candidacy, which is the same stance as the US Secretary of State [Marco Rubio] and [US Special Envoy for Syria] Tom Barrack, is blatant interference in Iraq's political affairs; no person or country has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign country like Iraq,” he added.

Maliki previously served two terms as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, stepping down during his second term after major security setbacks linked to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS), amid long-standing allegations of corruption.

His tenure also saw him draw the ire of Washington over his perceived closeness to Iran and allowing Tehran to increase its influence in the country.

Sadeq said his country supports any nominee the ruling Coordination Framework picks, stressing that the decision is theirs as the largest bloc in parliament.

The US president's comments were roundly met with criticism from Maliki and his allied factions, perceiving violation of Iraqi sovereignty inherent in the remarks.

“The selection of our government and leaders is a national matter that must be respected, just as we respect the choices of others,” read a statement from Maliki on Saturday.